Basketball Dribbling Practice Assembly

ABSTRACT

A basketball dribbling practice assembly includes a frame that is positionable on a practice surface for dribbling a basketball. The frame defines a first opening and a second opening. The frame has a height of at least 18.0 inches thereby requiring a user to squat downwardly to inhibit the basket ball from striking a top of the frame when the basketball is dribbled to train proper physical posture for dribbling. Additionally, the frame has a width of at least 16.0 inches thereby facilitating the user to position the user&#39;s feet at preferred spacing to train proper foot spacing for dribbling. A panel is coupled to the frame to define the top of the frame. The panel deflects the basketball when the basketball strikes the panel to train proper placement of the basketball during dribbling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to dribbling practice devices and more particularly pertains to a new dribbling practice device for training proper physical posture for dribbling a basketball.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to dribbling practice devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a frame that is positionable on a practice surface for dribbling a basketball. The frame defines a first opening and a second opening. The frame has a height of at least 18.0 inches thereby requiring a user to squat downwardly to inhibit the basket ball from striking a top of the frame when the basketball is dribbled to train proper physical posture for dribbling. Additionally, the frame has a width of at least 16.0 inches thereby facilitating the user to position the user's feet at preferred spacing to train proper foot spacing for dribbling. A panel is coupled to the frame to define the top of the frame. The panel deflects the basketball when the basketball strikes the panel to train proper placement of the basketball during dribbling.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a basketball dribbling practice assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new dribbling practice device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the basketball dribbling practice assembly 10 generally comprises a frame 12 that is positionable on a practice surface 14 for dribbling a basketball 16. The practice surface 14 may be a driveway, a playground or any firm surface on which a basketball can be dribbled. The frame 12 defines a first opening 18 and a second opening 20. Each of the first opening 18 and the second opening 20 extends upwardly from the practice surface 14 when the frame 12 is positioned on the practice surface 14. Moreover, the first opening 18 is aligned with the second opening 20 thereby facilitating a basketball 16 pass through the first opening 18 and the second opening 20 when the basketball 16 is dribbled.

The frame 12 has a height of at least 18.0 inches thereby requiring a user to squat downwardly to inhibit the basket ball from striking a top of the frame 12 when the basketball 16 is dribbled between the first opening 18 and the second opening 20. In this way the frame 12 trains proper physical posture for dribbling. The frame 12 has a width of at least 16.0 inches thereby facilitating the user to position the user's feet at preferred spacing when the basketball 16 is dribbled between the first opening 18 and the second opening 20. In this way the frame 12 trains proper foot spacing for dribbling.

The frame 12 comprises a pair of basal members 22 that each lie on the practice surface 14 when the frame 12 is positioned on the practice surface 14. The basal members 22 are spaced apart from each other and are oriented parallel with each other. Each of the basal members 22 has a first end 24 and a second end 26. The frame 12 includes a set of first uprights 28 that is each coupled to and extends upwardly from a respective one of the first end 24 and the second end 26 of a respective one of the basal members 22. Each of the first uprights 28 has a distal end 30 with respect to the respective basal member 22 and each of the first uprights 28 is vertically oriented when the frame 12 is positioned on the practice surface 14. Moreover, the first uprights 28 define the first opening 18 extending between the first uprights 28.

The frame 12 includes a set of second uprights 32 that is each coupled to and extends upwardly from a respective one of the first end 24 and the second end 26 of a respective one of the basal members 22. Each of the second uprights 32 has a distal end 34 with respect to the respective basal member 22 and each of the second uprights 32 is vertically oriented when the frame 12 is positioned on the practice surface 14. Additionally, the second uprights 32 define the second opening 20 extending between the second uprights 32.

The frame 12 includes a forward member 36 that is coupled to and extends between the distal ends of a respective pair of the first uprights 28 and the second uprights 32. The forward member 36 is horizontally oriented when the frame 12 is positioned on the practice surface 14. A rear member 38 is coupled to and extends between the distal ends 30, 34 of a respective pair of the first uprights 28 and the second uprights 32. The rear member 38 is horizontally oriented when the frame 12 is positioned on the practice surface 14.

The frame 12 includes a pair of supporting members 40 that is each coupled to and extends between the forward member 36 and the rear member 38. Each of the supporting members 40 is horizontally oriented when the frame 12 is positioned on the practice surface 14. Additionally, the supporting members 40 are spaced apart from each other on the forward member 36 and the rear member 38. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the frame 12 may be comprised of pvc pipes and corresponding pvc fittings. The frame 12 may be comprised of metallic members, wood members or any other type of rigid members that are fastened together with any preferred method.

A panel 42 is coupled to the frame 12 to define the top of the frame 12 such that the panel 42 deflects the basketball 16 when the basketball 16 strikes the panel 42. Thus, the panel 42 trains proper placement of the basketball 16 during dribbling by requiring the user to adjust the height of the bounce associated with the dribble. The panel 42 has a top surface 44, a bottom surface 46 and a perimeter edge 48 extending therebetween. The perimeter edge 48 has a front side 50, a back side 52, a first lateral side 54 and a second lateral side 56.

The panel 42 is elongated between the front side 50 and the back side 52. The bottom surface 46 of the panel 42 engages each of the supporting members 40. The front side 50 of the perimeter edge 48 is aligned with the forward member 36 and the back side 52 of the perimeter edge 48 is aligned with the rear member 38. Each of the first lateral side 54 and the second lateral side 56 of the perimeter edge 48 is aligned with a respective one of the supporting members 40. Indicia 58 are printed on the top surface 44 of the panel 42 and the indicia 58 comprise a preferred image or words.

In use, the frame 12 is positioned on the practice surface 14 and the user stands facing the forward member 36 of the frame 12. The user dribbles the basketball 16 back and forth through the first opening 18 and the second opening 20 in the frame 12. The height of the frame 12 requires the user to squat into the preferred posture in order to prevent the basketball 16 from striking the panel 42. In this way the frame 12 trains proper posture for dribbling. Additionally, the user aligns each of their feet with respective first uprights 28 and second uprights 32 of the frame 12. In this way the frame 12 trains proper foot spacing for dribbling. As is most clearly shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of the frames 12 can be placed on the practice surface 14 and the plurality of frames 12 can be arranged into a desired pattern to increase the difficulty of the training.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

1. A basketball dribbling practice assembly being configured to train dribbling technique, said assembly comprising: a frame being positionable on a practice surface for dribbling a basketball, said frame defining a first opening and a second opening, each of said first opening and said second opening extending upwardly from the practice surface when said frame is positioned on the practice surface, said first opening being aligned with said second opening thereby facilitating a basketball to pass through said first opening and said second opening when the basketball is dribbled, said frame having a height of at least 18.0 inches thereby requiring a user to squat downwardly to inhibit the basket ball from striking a top of said frame when the basketball is dribbled between said first opening and said second opening wherein said frame is configured to train proper physical posture for dribbling, said frame having a width of at least 16.0 inches thereby facilitating the user to position the user's feet at preferred spacing when the basketball is dribbled between said first opening and said second opening wherein said frame is configured to train proper foot spacing for dribbling, said frame comprising a pair of basal members, each of said basal members lying on the practice surface when said frame is positioned on the practice surface, said basal members being spaced apart from each other and being oriented parallel with each other, each of said basal members having a first end and a second end; and a panel being coupled to said frame to define said top of said frame, said panel deflecting the basketball when the basketball strikes said panel wherein said panel is configured to train proper placement of the basketball during dribbling, said panel having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge extending therebetween, said perimeter edge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said panel being elongated between said front side and said back side, said first lateral side and said second lateral side each being parallel to and positioned above and inset relative to said basal members.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a set of first uprights, each of said first uprights being coupled to and extending upwardly from a respective one of said first end and said second end of a respective one of said basal members, each of said first uprights having a distal end with respect to said respective basal member, each of said first uprights being vertically oriented when said frame is positioned on the support surface, said first uprights defining said first opening extending between said first uprights.
 4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein said frame comprises a set of second uprights, each of said second uprights being coupled to and extending upwardly from a respective one of said first end and said second end of a respective one of said basal members, each of said second uprights having a distal end with respect to said respective basal member, each of said second uprights being vertically oriented when said frame is positioned on the support surface, said second uprights defining said second opening extending between said second uprights.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said frame comprises a forward member being coupled to and extending between said distal ends of a respective pair of said first uprights and said second uprights, said forward member being horizontally oriented when said frame is positioned on the practice surface.
 6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein said frame comprises a rear member being coupled to and extending between said distal ends of a respective pair of said first uprights and said second uprights, said rear member being horizontally oriented when said frame is positioned on the practice surface.
 7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said frame comprises a pair of supporting members, each of said supporting members being coupled to and extending between said forward member and said rear member, each of said supporting members being horizontally oriented when said frame is positioned on the practice surface, said supporting members being spaced apart from each other on said forward member and said rear member.
 8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said bottom surface of said panel engaging each of said supporting members.
 9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein said front side of said perimeter edge is aligned with said forward member.
 10. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein said back side of said perimeter edge is aligned with said rear member.
 11. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein each of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said perimeter edge is aligned with a respective one of said supporting members.
 12. A basketball dribbling practice assembly being configured to train dribbling technique, said assembly comprising: a frame being positionable on a practice surface for dribbling a basketball, said frame defining a first opening and a second opening, each of said first opening and said second opening extending upwardly from the practice surface when said frame is positioned on the practice surface, said first opening being aligned with said second opening thereby facilitating a basketball pass through said first opening and said second opening when the basketball is dribbled, said flame having a height of at least 18.0 inches thereby requiring a user to squat downwardly to inhibit the basket ball from striking a top of said frame when the basketball is dribbled between said first opening and said second opening wherein said frame is configured to train proper physical posture for dribbling, said frame having a width of at least 16.0 inches thereby facilitating the user to position the user's feet at preferred spacing when the basketball is dribbled between said first opening and said second opening wherein said frame is configured to train proper foot spacing for dribbling, said frame comprising: a pair of basal members, each of said basal members lying on the practice surface when said frame is positioned on the practice surface, said basal members being spaced apart from each other and being oriented parallel with each other, each of said basal members having a first end and a second end; a set of first uprights, each of said first uprights being coupled to and extending upwardly from a respective one of said first end and said second end of a respective one of said basal members, each of said first uprights having a distal end with respect to said respective basal member, each of said first uprights being vertically oriented when said frame is positioned on the support surface, said first uprights defining said first opening extending between said first uprights; a set of second uprights, each of said second uprights being coupled to and extending upwardly from a respective one of said first end and said second end of a respective one of said basal members, each of said second uprights having a distal end with respect to said respective basal member, each of said second uprights being vertically oriented when said frame is positioned on the support surface, said second uprights defining said second opening extending between said second uprights; a forward member being coupled to and extending between said distal ends of a respective pair of said first uprights and said second uprights, said forward member being horizontally oriented when said frame is positioned on the practice surface; a rear member being coupled to and extending between said distal ends of a respective pair of said first uprights and said second uprights, said rear member being horizontally oriented when said frame is positioned on the practice surface; and a pair of supporting members, each of said supporting members being coupled to and extending between said forward member and said rear member, each of said supporting members being horizontally oriented when said frame is positioned on the practice surface, said supporting members being spaced apart from each other on said forward member and said rear member; and a panel being coupled to said frame to define said top of said frame, said panel deflecting the basketball when the basketball strikes said panel wherein said panel is configured to train proper placement of the basketball during dribbling, said panel having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge extending therebetween, said perimeter edge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said panel being elongated between said front side and said back side, said first lateral side and said second lateral side each being parallel to and positioned above and inset relative to said basal members, said bottom surface of said panel engaging each of said supporting members, said front side of said perimeter edge being aligned with said forward member, said back side of said perimeter edge being aligned with said rear member, each of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said perimeter edge being aligned with a respective one of said supporting members, said top surface having indicia being printed thereon, said indicia comprising a preferred image or words. 